The three supplications that are answered

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), said, “Three supplications are answered without a doubt: the supplication of someone who is oppressed, the supplication of someone on a journey (the traveller), and the supplication of the father against his son.”

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi - Hadith Hasan]

Commentary:

Allah’s acceptance of a persons du’aa’ (supplications) depends on his invoking Allah – the Most Merciful from the bottom of his heart with perfect humility and a sincere admission of his helplessness and infirmity. Naturally du’aa’ (supplication) arising from the bottom of one’s heart stands the best chance of being answered by Allah.

The following are three examples (found in the above Hadith) of such cases:

An oppressed person whether he is a believer or non believer. An oppressed person only supplicates when he is in dire need of help and aid.

A traveller who is away from home who is dearly missing his family and loved ones.

A broken hearted father or mother who only supplicate against their child when they are driven completely to the wall.

Finally, we also benefit from this Hadith that upsetting ones parents needs to be avoided at all costs.